CMA is partnering with the Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA), an organization working to promote Bengali arts and language in New York City’s growing multicultural communities by offering accessible classes and providing platforms for emerging artists and performers.

Story Time features books by Bangladeshi authors at 11 am with Children’s Librarian Kristy Raffensberger of the Hudson Park Library. BIPA will be presenting performances and interactive workshops at 12pm and 2pm.

Workshops inspired by traditional and contemporary arts practices of Bangladesh include:

Upcycled Paper-Marbling in Fine Arts: In Bangladesh, women have built successful businesses creating delicate paper from materials like the common plant jute, silk, leftover fabric, or even weeds. They cut and fold the paper into shapes for cards or other gifts. Kids can make an upcycled marble paper sheet.

Wires and Pliers Sculpture inspired by Tayeba Begum Lipi in Fine Arts: Tayeba Begum Lipi is a Bangladeshi artist who creates paintings, installations and sculptures that explore identity.! For CMAs Bangladeshi Cultural festival, artists are invited to make wire sculptures based on Lipi’s elaborate metal pieces.

Bengali New Year Masks in the Gallery: Shubho Nabobarsho! That’s how you say “Happy New Year” to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, or Bengali New Year. In Bangladesh, people parade the streets with beautiful colorful paper puppets and masks on April 14th. Today young artists create their own colorful masks to celebrate.

Clay Reliefs & Motifs in the Clay Bar: Use two techniques similar to those used to build the Kantanagar Temple to create a clay relief inspired by Bangladeshi sculptors today at the Clay Bar.

What a Relief to be Alive! in the Media Lab: Inspired by Clay Reliefs, young artists animate a day in their lives. Whether it be your favorite day at school or a special day you had with your family, create a clay relief animation inspired by Bangladeshi terracotta.

PSAs à la Bangladesh Betar in the Sound Booth: Headquartered in Bangladesh‘s capital city of Dhaka is the country’s legendary public radio station. Formed in 1927, it played a crucial role in giving people a voice during the country’s liberation in 1971. Today in the Sound Booth, kids are inspired by the important educational uses of Bangladesh‘s legendary public radio station. Create a Public Service Announcement (PSA) about why friendships are important, and how to sustain them and make them strong!